Melton pies on international stage

The experience of Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Stilton Cheese in promoting food tourism was a discussion point at World Expo in Milan which this year was on the topic of food.

Melton and Leicestershire food champion Dr Matthew O’Callaghan OBE represented the United Kingdom at an international seminar on protected food names organised by the European Commission. Over 40 famous food names were present including Idaho Potatoes, Colombian Coffee, Australian Wine and Norwegian Dried Cod.

Melton’s experience on promoting its famous foods - Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Stilton Cheese - was also mentioned at a top level meeting on planning the future of food and farming at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in London last week. Both the Minister of Food and Secretary of State for Defra hosted the meeting.

Mr O’Callaghan, who was also at the meeting, said: “Our experience of promoting our two famous foods as well as all our other activities relating to food has attracted interest at top levels in this country and also internationally. We’ve a good story to tell and should be proud of what we’ve achieved so far.”